I feel nervous.

I guess that’s normal, but I hoped it would go away, that the butterflies in my stomach would fly south to Mexico and never return.

There is no Mexico here, dumb ass.

My companions and I are clustered before the wall, before a door in the wall to be precise. Well, it’s more like a drawbridge really, and the goblins are preparing to drop it. Then we’ll charge into the chasm below and race-up the other side to where the orcs are.

Sounds like a blast.

The goblins have amassed all the archers they can atop the wall over-looking the chasm. Once that door drops they will lose their arrows, providing us cover for our advance. That’s the theory anyway.

“We just need to secure the ledge on the other side,” Iagz says. “That will be the hardest part.”

“Oh really?” says Myran. “I figured the hardest part would be the charge behind enemy lines, the planned collapse of our own offensive, and the retreat to goblin territory without being killed.”

Iagz’s face darkens. “I meant this part of it.”

“Ah, thank you for clarifying.”

Cyrus breathes deeply. “I feel the glory of the Maker on this day.”

Myran rolls his eyes. “Great, now we really are screwed.”

Iagz chuckles. “Myran, you would make a poor goblin.”

“Fine by me,” Myran retorts. “Your females are too short for my taste.”

“As opposed to elven ladies I assume?”

Myran lifts his chin. “Indeed. Ours are filled with nobility and sophistication.”

I think back to Luna. “And fart jokes.”

Myran glowers at me. “What’s that, Sir Ethan?”

I grin. “Oh nothing. Just a thought.”

A runner approaches, wheezing. “Sir Ethan, General Zargog says the archers will start shortly.”

I nod. “We’ll be ready.”

Colonel Iagz turns to me. “I’m going back to my regiment. We’ll be right behind you.”

“Good, try and stay as close as you can,” I say. “That way my magic will be more beneficial to you.”

“And we’ll be more likely to survive,” adds Myran.

Dauntless paws at the ground.

“You alright, buddy?” I ask.

“Just anxious to get started, sire.”

I smile. “Not worried about your footing at all? It could be pretty treacherous on the rocks.”

“I’ll manage, sire. I want to contribute whatever I can. Even if it’s less than usual.”

Whatever I can…

I rustle his mane. “I knew you would. I just wish I could ride you. What a sight that would be for the orcs.”

“Perhaps, when we reach flatter ground, sire.”

Assuming we make that far. I do love the optimism though.

“Sir Ethan,” a goblin shouts from atop the wooden wall. He’s holding up five fingers, then four, three, two…one.

The door drops, and it’s not the only one. Two more fall beside it, one on either side. I rush forward, taking point. The wood thunders under my boots as I hear the snap of bow strings above me. Arrows soar through the air I run ender them, downwards into the chasm. It looks deeper for some reason, now that I’m peering into it.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

I stumble as I transition from wood to rocks. The walls of the chasm slow down at a steep angle and I nearly fall head over heels as I race downward. There are orc bodies here as well – many with arrows sticking out of them – serving as monuments to failed advances against the goblin wall.

Slowing myself and my heart I trudge down the side of the chasm until I reach the relatively flat bottom. A bottom filled with orc bodies and a narrow stream. Little more than a trickle it laps up against dead orcs and scitters around rocks, carrying away stray pebbles in its wake.

I wonder how many little water runs there are like this in the mountains, providing the goblins with much needed hydration for their continued existence. For right now, it does little more than further hinder my advance unfortunately.

The goblins are better than me. Clearly more adept at traversing rock, water, and corpses, they are getting ahead of both me and my companions.

So much for the plan.

“Pull them back,” I shout to Colonel Iagz.

“You’re moving too slow,” he yells back. “We need to get out of this chasm. Look!”

He points up to the ridge I follow his gaze. I can see the orcs now. They are coming down at us. Many are struck by the goblin arrows. Many, but not all. Some even have arrows in them and are still stumbling down.

Iagz doesn’t want to have to fight down here, caught in no man’s land between the two lines. Neither do I.

“Hurry,” I yell back to my companions.

But they’re doing even worse than I am. Myran and Dauntless especially. One of the horse’s legs is already bloody indicating he likely already fell once or twice. I feel a twinge of guilt for even bringing him along on this.

Do I let his enthusiasm blind me sometimes? Do I let mine?

I grit my teeth and push forward. Focusing on each step I look down and move as quickly as I can. The orcs are hollowing now, bellowing in some kind of blood rage most likely. But I don’t let it distract me.

One foot in front of the other. Keep it moving.

I make it to the other side of the chasm and start the ascent back-up. Most of the goblins are ahead of me now and the surviving orcs are almost upon them. I extend my hand and muster as much brightness as I can. The light shoots out from me, in as wide a beam as I can manage.

Some orcs stumble, others cover their eyes, others are stunned by the energy.

Bet you weren’t expecting that, douchebags.

The goblins lay into them. Far more comfortable in strange fighting positions than me they swing their swords and axes efficient in lopsided stances and while bend diagonally on the sloped chasm.

Impressive.

And with their backs to me they don’t experience the blindness or shock the light can cause. The orcs are quickly cut down.

Yessss.

I lower my hand and push forward again, starting the ascent myself. But the goblins become a victim of their own success. As they push higher the goblin archers have to stop their firing lest they hit one of their own. This clears the way for more orcs as well and another round charges down on them.

I lift my hand again. And again the light shines. But the orcs are smart. They’ve attacked the edges of the goblin position, when my light is dim or cannot reach and smash into the goblin line.

I start to move horizontally. Trying to reposition myself closer to the advancing orcs so that my magic is more effective.

“Climb higher,” Iagz yells back at me. “We have to get to the top.”

So that's what I do. The goblins will have to fend for themselves. And to be fair, they are quite capable. Many orcs lie dead with arrows through them and the goblins move quickly to encircle those survived, preventing them for fighting on equal terms where their raw strength would prove superior.

I look down again.

One foot in front of the other.

And hand as well it turns out. I lack the leg strength of the goblins or orcs and can’t just magically walk upward on a sloped incline. I have to push and pull like I’m at a climbing in gym on Earth.

I always wanted to visit one of those.

Dauntless does better this time. Maybe it’s easier for him to balance his massive weight going against gravity. His neighs in enthusiasm as he surges forward with his powerful hindquarters.

The first goblins are mounting the ridge. Hopefully they will be able to hold the position.

There can’t be that many orcs left. Can there?

Dauntless actually beats me to the top and I hear him winnie in triumph and excitement. I’m close behind as my bloodied are the first body part to keep over the lip.

Shoulda worn gloves. Damn, those rocks are sharp.

I struggle to my feet and see the goblins in battle with the remaining orc contingent. The orcs are mighty but outnumbered. The goblins slash in and out, keeping the orcs off-balance.

“For Astria!” I bellow. “For the goblins!”

I charge at my nearest foe and skewer him through the back while two other goblins cut his side. Another falls at my feet and a third lurches in my direction. I raise hand and send a focused beam right at his face. The orc stumbles and falls back, blinded and confused by the light.

It’s like a status effect in an RPG.

Another goblin takes his axe and slams the blade into the orc’s neck. Blood spurts out and the creature falls numb at me feet. I look at the goblin and we share a nod of mutual respect. Then I turn and…see nothing.

There are still goblins arriving, but I see no more orcs and for a moment can’t believe my good fortune. Then I hear the drums….